I recognize it's only a rumor, but: the Cubs now appear to be leading the chase for Jake Peavy. I'm just not sure why.
a) We have a dearth of good young pitching talent, which appears to be the Padres' goal.
b) The pitching staff last year was 2nd in the NL, behind the Dodgers.
c) The offense needs a lefty. (Hello, Adam Dunn?)
d) If Ryan Dempster's contract is going to be roughly in the same neighborhood, we can't upgrade the offense.
I recognize the desire to add starting pitching, but it isn't as though we need help getting TO the playoffs - which would be the point of strengthening the rotation, probably by dumping Marquis for Peavy. Unless you feel that Peavy is a 2-runs-or-fewer playoff pitcher, or Zambrano's going to break down, or Harden will break down again, or you're not going to sign Dempster, this move isn't a necessary one. Might not even be a good one. Sign Adam Dunn, swing whatever deal you need to for Brian Roberts (or any other qualified leadoff hitter that will allow Soriano to be moved out of the leadoff spot), slide Fukudome (or Edmonds, or Pie, or Reed Johnson. I really don't care) to center, and everyone's happy. Right?
Is it weird that I almost enjoy the baseball off-season more than the regular season?
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I don't understand it either, but tell me you wouldn't enjoy seeing:
Peavy-Big Z-Harden-Dempster-Lilly
Nasty. Just nasty.
Of course, being a Cub fan, I realize this only means they will lose the NLDS in 4 games, instead of 3.
First of all, enjoying the offseason more than the real season is probably a good idea for a Cubs fan.
I don't know. Peavy is a stud, but he showed the first signs of arm trouble this year, albeit minor. Isn't it a cosmic guarantee that if the Cubs acquire him he will become Mark Prior II?
Part of me wonders if the Cubs are trying to do what some NFL teams do: overwhelm with one side of the ball and cross your fingers that you don't get caught with your pants down on the other side.
a) I would definitely enjoy that rotation, despite being a tad reliant on three pitchers (Peavy, Z, Dempster) who are essentially the same in terms of style.
b) That rotation will not put us over the edge in the NL Central; I'm treating that as a given.
c) Adam's "Baltimore Ravens" analogy is correct, I think, but there comes a point of diminishing returns, and we're already there. We've had the best staff in the NL the last several years by various measures, although not necessarily due to the rotation nor necessarily this strong.
d) Given that they're going to win the Central (and does that look odd to write), you make your additions for next year looking towards maybe winning a series or two. Pitching wasn't the issue this year, but rather the offense.
e) Especially in light of the rumors that dealing for Peavy precludes a Brian Roberts deal, I'll reiterate that unless you're convinced Peavy can be Cole Hamels (not in growing a mullet, but in starting and basically winning five playoff games all by himself) you can't make this deal in good conscience...
f) ...unless you're expecting Zambrano or Harden to fall apart, or Dempster to leave.
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